Michigan State defenseman Artyom Levshunov (Zhlobin, Belarus) was selected No. 2 overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft in Las Vegas, Nevada. Levshunov is the highest selected Spartan in the draft in 36 years – current Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour was the No. 9 pick by the St. Louis Blues in 1988. In program history, only Joe Murphy went higher, as the No. 1 pick to the Detroit Red Wings in 1986. Craig Simpson is MSU’s only other No. 2 pick, in 1985 by the Pittsburgh Penguins.